What is an Excise Tax?

An excise tax is a tax directly levied on certain goods by a state or federal government. The most prominent excise taxes collected by the Michigan state government are the fuel tax on gasoline and the so-called "sin tax" collected on cigarettes and alcoholic beverages.

An excise tax is not the same thing as the Michigan Sales Tax.

The Michigan Sales Tax is collected as a percentage of the final purchase price of all qualifying sales, and is collected directly from the end consumer of the product.

Michigan's excise taxes, on the other hand, are flat per-unit taxes that must be paid directly to the Michigan government by the merchant before the goods can be sold. Merchants may be required to attach tax stamps to taxable merchandise to show that the excise tax was paid.

Even though excise taxes are collected from businesses, virtually all Michigan merchants pass on the excise tax to the customer through higher prices for the taxed goods.

Michigan per capita excise tax

Michigan collects an average of $379 in yearly excise taxes per capita, lower then 70% of the other 50 states.

Michigan General Excise Taxes - Gasoline, Cigarettes, and More

Michigan collects general excise taxes on the sale of motor fuel (gasoline and diesel), cigarettes (per pack), and cell phone service plans. Other general taxes, similar to excise taxes, may be collected on other items including tanning salons, vehicle sales, transportation tickets, gas guzzlers, firearms, and more.

Michigan Gas Tax

17th highest gas tax

The Michigan excise tax on gasoline is 19.00¢ per gallon, higher then 66% of the other 50 states. Michigan's excise tax on gasoline is ranked #17 out of the 50 states. The Michigan gas tax is included in the pump price at all gas stations in Michigan.

Michigan Cigarette Tax

11th highest cigarette tax

The Michigan excise tax on cigarettes is $2.00 per 20 cigarettes, higher then 78% of the other 50 states. Michigan's excise tax on cigarettes is ranked #11 out of the 50 states. The Michigan cigarette tax of $2.00 is applied to every 20 cigarettes sold (the size of an average pack of cigarettes). If a pack contains more then 20 cigarettes, a higher excise tax will be collected.

Michigan Cellphone Tax

39th highest cellphone tax

The average tax collected on cell phone plans in Michigan is $7.27 per phone service plan, lower then 78% of the other 50 states. Michigan's average cellphone tax is ranked #39 out of the 50 states. The Michigan cellphone tax is already included in the service plan price you pay to your service provider, and may be listed as "Misc. taxes and Fees" or "Other" on your monthly bill.

Michigan Car Tax

Michigan collects a registration fee and a title fee on the sale or transfer of cars and motorcycles, which are essentially renamed excise taxes. Unlike standard excise taxes, however, the end consumer must pay the tax directly to the Michigan Department of Transportation and receive documentation (registration and title papers) proving the fees were paid.

Michigan Alcohol Excise Taxes - Liquor, Wine, and Beer

Michigan collects special excise taxes on the sale of all types of alcohol, subdivided into specific taxes on wine, beer, and liquor (hard alcohol other then wine and beer). Alcohol taxes are sometimes collectively referred to as "sin taxes", which also include excise taxes on cigarettes, gambling, drugs, and certain other items.

Please note that the IRS also collects a federal excise taxes on alcoholic beverages, which are included separately from Michigan's alcohol taxes in the final purchase price.

Michigan Beer Tax

28th highest beer tax

The Michigan excise tax on beer is $0.20 per gallon, lower then 56% of the other 50 states. Michigan's beer excise tax is ranked #28 out of the 50 states. The Michigan beer tax is already added to the purchase price of all beer bought in Michigan, whether in kegs, bottles, or cans.

Michigan Wine Tax

34th highest wine tax

The Michigan excise tax on Wine is $0.51 per gallon, lower then 68% of the other 50 states. Michigan's excise tax on wine is ranked #34 out of the 50 states. The Michigan wine tax is already added to the purchase price of all wine bought in Michigan.

Michigan Liquor Tax

9th highest liquor tax

The Michigan excise tax on liquor is $11.90 per gallon, one of the highest liquor taxes in the country. Michigan's excise tax on Spirits is ranked #9 out of the 50 states. Because all liquor stores in Michigan are state-owned, excise taxes for hard alcohol sales are set by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS). The Michigan liquor tax applies to all hard alcohol (alchoholic beverages other then beer and wine), and is already included in the purchase price by the retailer.

Michigan Excise Tax Deductions & Refunds

Can I deduct my Michigan Excise taxes?

Unlike the Michigan Sales Tax, excise taxes are not generally deductible on Michigan income tax returns or on your federal tax return. However, the IRS occasionally allows certain excise taxes to be deducted for certain tax years.

Vehicle Tax Deduction

Michigan sales and excise taxes on cars or vehicles bought during 2009 may be deducted once from your federal tax return. You cannot deduct excise taxes for vehicles bought during other years.

Phone Tax Deduction

You may deduct excise taxes paid on long-distance phone calls between the years of 2003 and 2006 from your federal tax return.

Can I get a Michigan Excise Tax Refund?

While sales tax refunds are available for goods that are purchased in Michigan and exported, Michigan excise taxes paid on goods are generally non-refundable. Incentives may exist allowing certain state of federal excise taxes to be refunded on goods bought for specific uses, but such incentives change frequently.

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